Introduction
Model Series
Body Styles
Dimensions
Engines
Transmissions
Colors
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment

The 3 small verticle trim bars on the front fender of the Bel Air were goldtone. On the 210 series they were Chrome, and on the 150 series there were just 3 small verticle indents in the fender.

Introducing the 1957 Chevrolet

Almost anyone with even a passing interest in old cars would recognize a 57 Chevy. These cars are icons of the 50s automobile styling. side trim used on the Bel Air model series, the dual hood spears and the sharply rearward angled rear fender tips make them easily recognized. [ Back to top ]

The Popularity Race

Chevrolet and Ford were in a heated competion for top honors in the sales numbers in 1957. The result was pretty much a tie. Chevy built more cars in the calendar year and Ford built more in the model year. Both companiesbuilt over 1,500,000 cars in their respective time period. [ Back to top ]

Collectors Love the 57 Chevy!

Chevrolet and Ford may have more or less tied in the production numbers for 1957, but Chevy has pretty much won the race for the hearts of car collectors in the decades since. All 1957 Cheys, especially the Bel Air Convertible, the Sport Coupe two door hardtop, and Nomad two door station wagon have a long history of being highly collectible. You can see a 57 Chevy at almost any car show they are eligible to enter. [ Back to top ]

Model Line Up

Corvette
The Corvette kept on cruising at your local Chevrolet dealer in 1957. An optional fuel injected V8 engine added a little more excitement to the Corvette line. [ Back to top ]

Bel Air Series
The top of the line Chevys in 1957. Easily spotted by their anodized aluminum beauty panel on the rear fenders. The Bel Air also featured a gold tone grille. When equipped with a V8 engine, the large "V" emblem on the hood and trunklid were also gold tone. Three small gold tone trim bars appeared just behind the headlights on each fron fender. The bright trim on top of the rear fenders extended farther forward than on the 210 0r 15 series cars. [ Back to top ]

210 Series
The mid range standard 57 Chevy was the 210 series. The side panel that had an anodized aluminum finish on the Bel Air was simply painted a contrasting color on the 210. The three small trim bars just behind the headlights were chrome, as was the large "V" on V8 powered cars. The top edge trim on the rear fenders was shorter than on the Bel Air Series. [ Back to top ]

150 Series
The entry level 57 Chey was the 150 series. The most notable identifying feature of the 150 series is the 1956 style trim rear fenders. [ Back to top ]

Body Styles

The 57 Chevy offered a body style to fill every need or want, from the basic 150 two door sedan to Bel Air convertible, there was something for everyone. Throw in a Nomad or a Corvette, and life was good! [ Back to top ]

Corvette	Corvette: Two passenger sports car. This fiberglass bodied sports car roared into 1957 powered by an optional fuel injected V8 engine.
Convertible	Convertible: The full sized convertible was only offered in the Bel Air series. Other than the Corvette, this was the top of the line Chevrolet in 1957 (but the Nomad cost more than the convertible).
Sport Sedan	Sport Sedan: A four door hardtop called a Sport Sedan was available in both the Bel Air and 210 series. The Bel Air version sold over 137,000 while the 210 version only sold a little over 16,000.
Sport Coupe	Sport Coupe: The pillarless two door hardtop also was only avaialable in the Bel Air and 210 series. Again the Bel Air was the sales winner, out selling the 210 by about a 7 to 1 margin
4 Door Sedan	Four door sedan: Four door pillard sedans were part of all three series, Bel Air, 210 and 150. At about 260,400 units the 210 outsold the Bel Air by just about 6,000 units. The 150 version accounted for just over 52,000 cars.
2 Door Sedan	Two Door Sedan: Bel Air and 210 series each had a single version, the 150 series had two versions, a standard six passenger model and a 3 passenger Utility Sedan with no back seat.
Nomad Station Wagon	Nomad Station Wagon The 6 passenger Nomad two door station wagon was part of the Bel Air series. These were the top of the line station wagons from Chevrolet in 1957. They were also the most expensive full size 57 Chevy.
4 Door Station Wagon	Four Door Station Wagons Four door station wagons were available in several versions, the Bel Air Townsman 6 passenger, the 210 Townsman 6 passenger and the 210 Beauville 9 passenger.
2 Door Station Wagon	Two Door Station Wagons Six passenger Handyman station wagons were available in both the 150 and 210 series. The 150, like the one shown here side trim similar to the 1956 Chevys.
No Picture available	Sedan Delivery: Based on a 2 door station wagon, but with no back seat or rear side windows. The tail gate was a one piece lift gate. A single bucket seat for the driver was standard, a passenger side bucket seat was an option.
No Picture available	Window Delivery: Similar to the Sedan Delivery, but with rear side windows like a two door sation wagon. The Window delivery used the same style lift gate as the Sedan Delivery.

Dimensions*

All standard 1957 Chevrolet models shared the same wheelbase and overall length. The Corvette was a different story, a 2 seat sports car it was considerably smaller than the standard Chevrolets. [ Back to top ]

Standard Chevys
Wheelbase: 115 inches
Overall length: 200 inches
Width: 73 inches
Height: Convertible 59.6
Height: 2 & 4 door sedans & station wagons, & sedan delivery 61.5
Height: Sport Sedans, Sport Coupee & Nomad 60 inches
Front tread: 58 inches
Rear tread: 58.8 inches
Tires: 7.50 x 14 tubless blackwall

Corvette
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Overall length: 168 inches
Width: 70.5 inches
Height top down: 49.2 inches
Height top up: .....51.1 inches
Height hardtop.....51.0 inches
Front tread: 57 inches
Rear tread: 59 inches
Tires: 6.70 x 15 tubless blackwall

*All demensions are approximate.

Engines

From a 140 horsepower inline six cylinder to a fuel injected 283 horsepower Corvette V8 there were plenty of choices in engines available for Chevrolet buyers in 1957. [ Back to top ]

Standard: (Except Corvette)

Blue Flame Six - Inline 6:
235.5 c.i.d. i6, 1v, 140hp @ 4,200rpm

Base V8:
(with manual or or overdrive transmissions)
265 c.i.d. v8, 2v, 162hp @ 4,400rpm

(with Powerglide transmission)
265 c.i.d. v8, 2v, 170hp @ 4,400rpm

Turbo-Fire V8
(Optional on standard Chevrolets)
283 c.i.d., v8, 2v, 185hp @ 4,600rpm

Super Turbo-Fire V8:
(Standard on the Corvette)
283 c.i.d., v8, 4v, 220hp @ 4,800rpm

Corvette V8
(Optional on Corvettes and on standard Chevys)
283 c.i.d., v8, 2-4v, 245hp @ 5,000rpm
283 c.i.d., v8, FI, 250hp @ 5,000rpm
283 c.i.d., v8, 2-4v, 270hp @ 6,000rpm
283 c.i.d., v8, FI, 283hp @ 6,200rpm

Transmissions:

Chevrolet offered a wide selection of manual, overdrive and autmatic transmissions in 1957. There were four manual trannys and 3 automatics. Not all were available in all models. [ Back to top ]

3 speed manual
3 speed manual - Close ratio
3 speed manual with overdrive
4 speed manual - Borg Warner T10
Powerglide - 2 speed automatic
Turboglide - automatic (with "Hill Retarder")
Corvette Powerglide - 2 speed automatic

Exterior Colors:

Because different computers and monitors interpret colors differently it is very possible that two computers sitting side by side will show the color differently. So I'm going to leave colors at a simple text list.

This was the fifties, and colors played an important part in the world of cars. The tri-tone years were pretty much behind us by 1957. But the third color often had its place taken by large swaths of brushed or bright metal and sometimes both and the Chevrolet was no exception.

The top of the line Bel Air series featured a brushed metal panel the ran almost the full length of the rear quarter panel on two door models and started in the middle of the rear door on four door models. On the 210 series that same pane could be painted a contrasting color. The 150 series used a two tone paint scheme that was similar to those of 1955 and 1956

Standard Equipment

Here is a list of some of the standard equipment that the 1957 Chevrolet was sold with. This is a partial list, there are no doubt other pieces of equipment that were standard at some point or another on one or more models of the 57 Chevy. These are just examples.

Optional Equipment

Check out some of the equipment that was optional on the 57 Chevy. A lot of this stuff is standard equipment on even the least expensive cars now. This probably isn't a complete list of options, but it's a good start.

Accelerator Pedal Cover - This was an interesting option apparently designed to reduce wear and tear on the floor mat.
Air Conditioning: In dash, factory installed.
Air Conditioning: Under dash, dealer installed.
Arm Rests - For 150 series models
Autronic Eye - (Note: This was an automatic headlight dimmer)
Bumper guards - Front and/or rear
Bumper Tips - Front - Black Rubber ( You see very few 57 Cheys without these)
Cigarette Lighter
Clock - Electric (standard on Bel Air)
Clutch - Heavy duty (11 inch)
Compass
Courtesy Lights
Rear Decklid molding - (Note: Apparently a pretty rare option)
Door Edge Guards
Electric Wipers
Engine Compartment Light
Fuel Filter
Grille Guard - Chrome
Heater, Deluxe with defroster, recirculating or outside air.
Heater, Recirculating air, with defroster
Heavy Duty Battery
Heavy Duty Clutch
Heavy Duty Generator
Heavy Duty Rear Springs
Kool Kushion ventilated seat top pad.
License Plate Frame
Light, Trunk
Light, Glove box
Lights, courtesy
Light, Underhood
Lights, Backup lights
Limited Slip Differential
Locking Gas Cap
Mirror: Body mount right or left outside mirror.
Mirror: Non-glare rearview interior mirror.
Mirror, Vanity, clips on to either sun visor.
Mirror, On optional spotlight
Oil bath air cleaner
Padded Dash
Posi-Traction - Limited slip differential
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Power Windows
Power Seat - Not available on 150 series.
Radio: Wonder Bar, automatic & pushbutton tuning, manual front antenna.
Radio: Deluxe, Pushbutton tuning. With manual front fender antenna.
Radio: Dial button tuning. With manual front fender antenna.
Radio Speaker, Rear seat.
Radio Antenna, Manual, rear fender
Radio Antenna, Power, rear fender, with on dash control button.
Rocker Panel Trim Molding (AKA: Body Sill Molding)
Seat Belts
Shoulder Belts, Front seat
Spare Tire Continental Kit
Spot Light -With integral rear view mirror
Sun Visor - Outside over the windshield
Sun Visor - Interior, right side on some models
Tinted Glass
Tissue Dispenser
Tri-Tone Horn - Added a third note
Tires - White Wall
Tool Kit
Undercoating - GM
Vent Shades - Keep the windows open a bit without rain getting in!
Wheel Covers - Full
Wheel Trim Rings
Wheel "Spinners" - These gave the appearance of a "Knock off" wheel and apparently were available for use with either the small hubcaps or full wheel covers.
Windshield Washer, vacuum operated, turns wipers on/off.
Windshield Washer, Foot lever operated, turns wipers on/off

The sharply pointed rear fendes on the 57 Chevy make the cars readily identified.

The trim panel of the rear fenders of the Bel Air series held an aluminum panel. On the 210 series, which didn't get the aluminum panel, the space was often painted a contrasting color or the same color as the roof on two tone cars. The 150 series had trim more like that on the 1956 models.